Tuesday, July 24, 2012

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!
Haute Mom

 

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.

3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Living Unplugged?

With the second baby’s arrival just around the corner (looking closer than originally thought,) I am in full nesting mode.

The deep cleaning and the piles of laundry are in effect around the house. I have taken a new eye to our home in attempt to transition from a toddler home to a newborn and toddler home.

One thing I noticed while doing this is all of the electronics that we have. Televisions, computers, cell phone chargers and iPads take up a good number of our outlets.

When I was pregnant with Stella, I had all of these visions in my head as to what type of parent I would be. Having strict limits on television, video games, and other types of electronics was always a part of that. As I look around the house now, I critique how closely I have stuck to the original plan.
And, I am slightly embarrassed to admit — I haven’t.

By no means would I say that I use television or other electronics as a babysitter. I am not the type to plop Stella in front on the TV so that I can cook dinner (okay, I don’t really cook, so that's a bad example). But I would be lying to say that I have never given her the option to watch something on the tube with me after a long day at work.

Stella knows how to work the iPad better than my hubby. She can scroll through the pictures in my cell phone. Obviously, she has been exposed to electronics — maybe a little more than I had planned.

We have friends that lead an “unplugged” life. They have no televisions or computers in the house. They are both doctors, so they do have cell phones, but that is it. Their two children have no access to television, computers, video games or the like.

This got me imagining living in an “unplugged” world. Could we rid of the televisions and electronics so that our children can live a media-free life? Could I?

As I thought about this, I saw both positives and negatives. A world with nothing but the imagination and creativity to keep the children occupied. Would they go into school being behind in the technological world; a world where they have to learn about technology in order to succeed?

It’s an entertaining thought and I give our friends and all of those parents that can manage this credit. But in the reality of it all, is it truly feasible and beneficial in the long run? As with most parenting topics, we can only answer this for our own families – and I sure would miss that DVR.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!

Haute Mom

 

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.

3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!

Haute Mom

 

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.

2. Follow one other blog.

3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.

4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Monday, July 9, 2012

ECOSWIM Product Review and Bathing Suit Giveaway

Haute Mom has discovered something exciting and new for the summer season – ECO SWIM swimsuits by Aqua Green. These swimsuits are not only fantastic for moms but they are eco-friendly; how haute is that?

As a mommy of one, and in five short weeks, a mommy of two, long gone are my bikini days (for the most part.) The best part about these suits is the styles. No matter what your body type there is a swimsuit for you. Styles range from bikinis to one pieces that are form flattering no matter what shape you are in. Even if you are happy with your shape, we have all learned that a bikini isn’t always the best choice when chasing the kiddos around the pool. These suits will allow you to flaunt your stuff and still be baby-chasing friendly!

I personally felt comfortable in the Eco Basics Dress and the Eco Kini well into my pregnancy. Both of these suits will be right back on after the little one is born. They are comfortable and will hide all of my post-pregnancy spots well until I can lose that baby weight.

What makes ECO SWIM so different from other bathing suit companies? That’s where the eco-friendly part comes in. The company is doing everything that they can to reduce their impact on the environment during the manufacturing of these suits. This includes things like manufacturing in the USA (which reduces fossil fuels by 96.9 %,) making the swimsuits with recycled materials (including fabric, lining, and elastic,) and using recyclable materials in their packaging.

You get to be haute, comfortable, and save the planet all at the same time!

Because haute mom loves these suits so much, I am going to giveaway one swimsuit, winner’s choice! No matter how you feel about your body, I promise that you will find something to enjoy the rest of the summer in!

All giveaway participants must be a public follower of Haute Mom. Visit the ECO SWIM website and check out the various styles. Leave one comment telling me what style is your favorite, along with your email address.

For extra entries:
  • “Like” Haute Mom on Facebook
  • Follow Haute Mom on Twitter
  • Become part of Haute Mom's circle on Google+1
  • “Like” Eco Swim on Facebook
  • Follow Eco Swim on Twitter
  • Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (leave the link in a comment)
  • Tweet about this giveaway (tag @Ktenny in the Tweet)
  • Share this giveaway on your blog (leave the blog post link in a comment)

  • I can’t wait for one lucky Haute Mom reader to experience an Eco Swim suit! The giveaway will end on 23rd at 9 p.m. (PST.) The winner will be chosen by Random.org and be contacted via email. Good luck haute moms!

     

     

    Wednesday, July 4, 2012

    Family Fun on the 4th


    BBQs, block parties, and sparklers are all part of the red, white, and blue on the 4th of July.  No matter how your family chooses to celebrate, I am sure that there are traditions in the making.

    This year, we have decided to go the our city's aquarium for their 4th of July picnic and fireworks event. What better way to celebrate an already fabulous day then by spending it with the fish?  Stella is sure to have plenty to tucker her out for the night.

    The biggest challenge can be keeping the kids occupied and out of trouble until the firework spectacular.  Depending on where you live, the shows can start fairly late, 9 p.m. where we live (I hope I can make it that far!)

    I found some great 4th of July ideas to keep the kids busy and have fun while doing it!
    Disney's 4th of July Crafts for Kids

    Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July!

    Tuesday, July 3, 2012

    WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

    Happy 4th of July! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends in between the BBQ and the sparklers. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!


    Haute Mom

     

    Our guest hostess this week is Kat from Mom Uncensored. Be sure to stop and let her know that you are following her as well so that she can follow you back!

    Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

    There are a few rules though:

    1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.

    2. Follow one other blog.

    3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.

    4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

    So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!